In 1995, after an interesting business career, I retired. The past 10 years, in addition to some travelling and pursuing a number of personal interests, a lot of time has been spent volunteering as a member of the Concordia Hospital Board, the Foundation and more recently with some new developments with Concordia Wellness Projects. I feel that I have had a good and satisfying business career and it is now good to be able to give of my efforts and experience to the community at large.

When Arvid and Ruth asked us to consider becoming part of their crew, it sounded interesting, but also daunting. We prayed about it and feel that God is counting on us to do our part. Hermine and I are new to this type of venture but ready to commit ourselves to work with our Crew Chief as best we can. My role specifically, is to drive the motor home for the first leg of this journey, from White Rock, BC to Winnipeg, arrange for lodging, prepare meals, do laundry and I do not know what else.

Finally, we would solicit your prayers for safety for the entire crew, that we may all have patience with each other and that God's name be glorified through this effort.

Hermine Olfert

I am David's wife and one of Arvid and Ruth's sisters-in-law. With our participation as Crew Assistant we have the opportunity to support a BIG project that someone in our family is undertaking. Dave and I have raised our family of three children. Our "children" are now independent adults, working and raising their children. We have been blessed with eight grand -children who are all well, loved by their parents and grandparents. They are all in school, each one actively pursuing some of their own interests. We continually pray for them and make an effort to show our love and support to them in the various experiences of their lives. As we all know, not all children are that fortunate. Through SPOKE 2005 an effort will be made to continue helping some of the less fortunate.

As a young person before I was married, I was concerned how to fulfill a purpose in my life. At that time the verse in Mathew 25:40 became important to me. This verse says --The King will reply "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me". These words prompted me to become a nurse where I've had opportunity to be of service to others. I've been able to work in my profession on a part time basis most of my life. Doing something for Christ is important to me. Working as a part of the crew for SPOKE 2005, together with my husband David, and sister-in-law Ruth from Vancouver to Winnipeg is another way that I can support someone else. In this case it is the children at MCF through this BIG project that is being undertaken by Arvid. It is an honor that Ruth and Arvid have the confidence in us and have asked us to help them in this way. No doubt it will be s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g for us and I pray that we will be up to the task.